From today's Houston Chronicle...

Quote:There hasn't been a Duane Brown sighting since last season. Brown, the left tackle who's entering his 10th season and is the team's best offensive lineman, is unhappy with a contract that has two years remaining.

If Brown fails to report, he won't count against the roster, but it'll cost him about $553,000 a week over 17 weeks of regular season.

If Brown doesn't return, the Texans' four tackles will be veterans Kendall Lamm, Breno Giacomini, Chris Clark and rookie Julién Davenport.

http://www.houstonchronicle.com/sports/c...164798.php

Duane Brown has been a fine pro player, and you have to assume he knows how to stay in shape.

However, even if he returns tomorrow, you have to wonder whether he will be in the proverbial "football shape" for the game against us, especially since he is going against defenders that have been heavy in pads all camp.

That said, given this team's woeful history, it may not matter.  We've had games against depleted OLs (the 41-0 loss at Seattle) and depleted secondaries (2004 vs. tacks) and it didn't matter.

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